Thursday, October 10, 2013

Ellie's Favorite Toy of the Moment: The Boba Doll Carrier

Since she got it last week, Ellie's been wearing her Boba mini doll carrier everywhere. You never can tell which toy will connect with a child, but it's a true joy when one does. 
We also stock a similar doll carrier by Beco

Friday, October 4, 2013

Our October Special Returns! Free Canvas Shopping Bag with $50 Purchase

Free Reusable Canvas Bag @ Peapods
Begins today! Our canvas shopping bag is made by Plan Toys. And, like their toys, it's super sturdy. Perfect for the farmer's market, the library, groceries, or, of course, toys!

Our canvas bag giveaway is an October tradition. We've got a bunch all set to go, but they won't last long!

Offer continues while supplies last. Valid for in-store sales only. 

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Introducing YOXO: A Super Fun & Environmentally Friendly Construction Toy Made in St. Paul, Minnesota

Duncan says: This toy is awesome!
We are proud to introduce YOXO, (“yock-so”) a brand new toy that combines everything we look for in a toy! Made from recycled cardboard, YOXO is environmentally friendly. Made right here in St. Paul, YOXO is hyper-local. And, most important, YOXO is fun!

YOXO is a construction toy with huge play value. It's Y, X, and O pieces are made from dense and durable laser-cut hardboard that sturdily connect together far better than similar construction toys we've tried. And, although YOXO kits suggest designs to create, their aim is truly open-ended. They're even designed to connect to paper towel tubes and other household items that kids are encouraged to reclaim and add to their creations.

We gave the YOXOBot kit to our 8 year old son Duncan and, after an hour of play, he gave it his most glowing review ever: "That's a really cool toy!" The YOXOBot he built was super sturdy and Duncan made a sword to go with it.

YOXO kits come in two versions: The YOXOBot and the smaller YOXO To Go, which comes in a resealable bag in makes a great travel toy, too. And, both are priced just right, too! YOXO is a great idea for a birthday present.

Made by Play from Scratch, YOXO's goal is to encourage creativity and promote sustainability. We couldn't agree more!








Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Introducing Green Tones Sustainable Wooden Musical Toys by Hohner

We're always on the lookout for musical instruments that are durable and safe enough for toddlers. Young children love rhythm and music, but they also like to experiment and play with instruments in novel ways, like sending a guitar down the stairs.  So, toddlers need sturdy musical toys designed just for them.

We've had varying success filling this niche over the years, but we've recently seen several of our favorite wooden musical toys redesigned in plastic (sad panda...).



So, we're very excited to introduce Green Tones musical toys, a brand new line from Hohner Music. Made in India from sustainably-harvested rubberwood or mangowood with non-toxic glue and water-based VOC-free paint. Green Tones toys are eco-friendly, cute, durable, and fun. And, they're fully tested to the US CPSIA safety standards. Except for the stirring xylophone toy, they're all safe for under 3 years old, too. Try them out and make a joyful noise!




Green Tones 
Mama Bear Drum

Green Tones 
Baby Bear Shaker

Green Tones 
Barrel Shaker

Green Tones 
Handle Cage Bell

Green Tones 
Stirring Xylophone

Green Tones 
Side to Side Shaker

Green Tones 
Triangle Castanet

Green Tones Wooden
Egg Shaker Musical Toy

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Peapods September Newsletter: Animals on Parade & New Fall Items

Peapods Giraffe Themed Toys
 
Animals on Parade


We may have been a little overly excited about the recent birth of a baby giraffe at the Como Zoo. But then again, we've always had a soft spot for giraffes. And babies. In any case, it inspired us to display all of our giraffe-themed toys and baby goods all together. We were surprised to learn how much we have! From cloth diapers and baby blankets to Sophie and Gyffy, we've got giraffes! We've even got giraffe wrapping paper.

Investigating further, we discovered that many other animals are also very well represented: Owls, monkeys, chickens, fish, horses, pigs... We've got them all over!

And, since we're often asked to match a nursery theme or find a particular animal for a kid who really loves, say, hedgehogs, we decided to list as many as we could all in one place. So, be sure to take a look at our virtual zoo!

Twin Cities Birth & Baby Expo

Mark Your Calendars!

We are proud to sponsor the 2013 Twin Cities Birth & Baby Expo! The Expo is the best way for new and expecting parents to connect with the incredible birth and parenting resources our community has to offer.  Mark your calendar and tell your friends; we'd love to see you there! Saturday, . October 12, 10-3pm @ Burroughs School, 1601 W. 50th St. in Minneapolis.



Stonz Winter Baby BootiesFall is Here & Winter is Coming

We're stocking up on fall & winter baby gear! Be sure to keep an eye on our Facebook page, where we'll be posting new items as they arrive.  We've already received our first shipments of toasty warm & dry Stonz Booties, luscious organic Wee Dream sleepsacks, Robeez shoes, and Smartwool socks. Don't let cold weather keep you home!

(Oh, and don't forget the Nose Frida. Trust us, it's best to keep one handy this time of year.)


Finally, here's some of our favorite recent arrivals. Enjoy the autumn and thank you again for supporting our store!

Milestone Baby Photo Cards
Billonimo Wooden Animal Magnet Maze by Janod
Innobaby Stainless Steel Sippy Cup
Turn Turn Turn CD Dan Zanes & Elizabeth Mitchell
Wee Dream Organic Cotton Sleepsack from Wee Urban
Magic Forest Play Tent by Haba
My First Keys Rattle Teething Toy by Green Toys
Classic Figure 8 Wooden Train Starter Set by Brio
Gallery Puzzle Ocean 200 pieces by Djeco

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Babywearing Tip #47: Wear Your Baby to the Minnesota State Fair

The spectacular crowds of the Minnesota State Fair
We love the Minnesota State Fair! This will be our 18th year in a row taking our kids to the fair and once again we'll be visiting with a toddler. And she'll be riding in her baby carrier, not in a stroller.

We like strollers just fine for lots of activities. But, speaking from experience, the State Fair is not a good place for a stroller. The one year we tried it with Duncan (who loved his stroller) was a bit of a nightmare. It was a small stroller, but we still struggled to get it onto the crowded fair bus. And, the Fair has lots of stairs and curbs that posed continuous navigation challenges.

But, crowd behavior at the fair was the biggest challenge. People just didn't seem to see Duncan in his stroller. They backed into him. They bonked him with hanging bags and fair swag. And they inadvertently dangled lit cigarettes dangerously close to his face. (This year, the Fair has designated limited smoking areas, so this problem should improve.) Suffice it to say we were distracted throughout the day.

And, at the end of the day, we realized that what Duncan mostly saw at the Fair from his stroller seat was other people's butts.

Yes, it's hot carrying a toddler at the Fair. Yes, she gets heavy. But, we'll switch off carrying duties and maybe even recruit Ellie's big sister and brother to help out. We'll seek out a few less crowded places where she can get down and play for a while. She'll see more and we'll do more by babywearing.

 So, if you're visiting the Fair with a baby or toddler, we heartily recommend a good baby carrier. You'll be more relaxed and your child will have a better experience. Stop by and try a few on--you can even stop by on your way to the Fair. We think you'll be glad you did.

Ellie and Millie with the Boba 3G carrier.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

August Newsletter: Back to School with Waste Free Lunches

Peapods Waste Free Lunch
Late Summer @ Peapods
Once again, school is right around the corner! Now's the time to make this the greenest school year ever. Whether you're packing lunches for preschool, high school, homeschool, or the playground, we've got great ways to keep food fresh that kids will love! Scroll down for our best waste free lunch ideas.

In other news, we'll be joining our friends at Blooma for their annual Bellyrama event on August 24 at the Lake Harriet Bandshell.  Sunshine + yoga + music! Visit Blooma.com for more info.

Of course, the state fair is right around the corner, too! Although we're pretty close to the fair, parking is seldom a problem in our neighborhood. However, it's best to approach us from the west via Highway 280 to Como Avenue. We recommend avoiding the Snelling/Como area during the fair.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Insulated Stainless Food Jar by Kids Konserve
Fit&Fresh Fresh Starts Two Cup Container Set
Klean Kanteen Water Bottles
Reusable Ice Pack made from Recycled Bottles
Klean Kanteen Sport Cap 3.0 Bottle Top
Reusable Sandwich Bags by Planet Wise
Stainless Food Containers by Kids Konserve
Skip Hop Insulated Lunchies
Green Toys Spoons and Forks from recylced bottles